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noun Uncommon

browsing

BROW-zihng

Browsing (noun) means the act of casually looking through something, especially websites or shop items. Example: “A few hours of browsing turned up nothing worth buying.”

noun
1
The act of casually looking through something, especially websites or shop items.
"A few hours of browsing turned up nothing worth buying."

How to Use Browsing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe activity of browsing — casually looking through things, most often online.

Common pairings
web browsing casual browsing

Word Forms

browsings plural

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A few hours of _____ turned up nothing worth buying.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “browsing” mean?

The word “browsing” means the act of casually looking through something, especially websites or shop items. In plain terms, the activity of browsing — casually looking through things, most often online.

How do you pronounce “browsing”?

“Browsing” is pronounced BROW-zihng (/ˈbɹaʊzɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “browsing” in a sentence?

Here is “browsing” used in a sentence: “A few hours of browsing turned up nothing worth buying.”

What part of speech is “browsing”?

“Browsing” is a noun.

Is “browsing” a common word?

“Browsing” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What does "browsing" mean when people talk about internet use?

Browsing refers to the act of casually looking through something, especially websites or shop items, without a fixed goal. "Web browsing" specifically describes moving between pages or sites out of general interest rather than to find one particular thing.

What is the difference between browsing and searching online?

Browsing is casual, open-ended looking through content, while searching is a targeted effort to find something specific, such as typing a query into a search engine. Browsing history, for example, tracks general viewing rather than deliberate lookups.

Does "browsing" only apply to websites?

No, browsing can describe casually looking through anything, including shop items, a bookstore's shelves, or a magazine, in addition to websites. The common thread is a relaxed, non-goal-directed way of looking.

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